Hodgson unsure on Ream deal

US international Tim Ream has begun a trial spell with West Brom, but boss Roy Hodgson remains cautious on any potential transfer.

The centre-half will spend a week on trial at the Hawthorns in the hope of securing a move to Europe from MLS side New York Red Bulls.

However, Hodgson is unsure whether or not Red Bulls will sanction a transfer, and the Baggies boss has moved to play down any possible move for the player.

"Andy Marriott (Albion's assistant sporting and technical director) was over in the US recently chatting to the MLS and the New York Red Bulls because Tim Ream is one of their interesting young players," Hodgson told the Birmingham Mail.

"They agreed it would be nice to spend a week with a Premier League club and we were happy to oblige. I don't know if it will lead to anything more.

"He's only played a few times for the US national team and I don't know his club are desperate to sell him.

"We already have a very good young 20-year old centre-half in Craig Dawson who we believe in very strongly.

"It'll be nice to have him here but who knows? "It's not easy to buy players from the US these days unless they've played (regular) international games."

Previous reports have suggested Hodgson is keen to secure a loan deal for the 24-year-old, while New York Red Bulls would prefer to sell the £2million-rated defender rather than sanction a loan exit.

Ream is also set to spend a week on trial with Premier League rivals Bolton after his stint with the Baggies and Wanderers boss Owen Coyle is expected to bring in a new defender in January, as it seems almost certain that Gary Cahill will depart in next month's transfer window.